Her dream—on her terms

With her own business, Cassie Godfrey is finally self-sufficient. But her plans are interrupted by four young orphans—and one persistent cowboy. If she’ll care for the children until their uncle claims them, Roper Jones will build Cassie’s house. To her business mind, the proposal makes sense. To her independent spirit, it’s a reminder of the commitments she’s promised to avoid.

Roper can’t help admiring Cassie’s pluck, even if he’s exasperated by her stubbornness. All he can offer Cassie is the love and acceptance she claims not to need. But dreams, like hearts, can change and grow...especially in a land made for brave new beginnings.

“Cassie, if you need me you have only to holler,” Roper said.

“I won’t be hollering.”

“I expect not. But I feel better knowing anyone could and I’ll hear them.”

He meant the kids could call for him. “Why would they need you when I’ll be right there in the same tent or whatever you want to call it?”

“No reason. Just as there’s no reason to get all prickly about it.”

“Prickly?” She swallowed hard. “If I am it’s because you make me sound like I can’t manage on my own.”

He held up his hands in a sign of protest. “It never crossed my mind.”

“Well, then. So long as we understand each other.” She headed back to her site.

He chuckled softly and followed her. “Oh, I get it.”

She ignored the note of triumph in his voice. How could he possibly comprehend? He had no idea of the events that had shaped her life and made her want nothing half as much as she wanted to be independent. Self-sufficient.“I don’t need anyone,” she muttered.

“Sounds mighty lonely to me.”

LINDA FORD

lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada. Growing up on the prairie and learning to notice the small details it hides gave her an appreciation for watching God at work in His creation. Her upbringing also included being taught to trust God in everything and through everything—a theme that resonates in her stories. Threads of another part of her life are found in her stories—her concern for children and their future. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids and assorted friends and relatives.

The Cowboy’s Unexpected Family

Linda Ford

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Owe no man anything, but to love one another.

—Romans 13:8

To families. To my children and their children.

May you build sweet memories,

establish worthwhile traditions and grow in love

and care for each other. I wish this for all families.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Chapter One

Eden Valley, Alberta

Summer 1882

Cassie Godfrey’s dream was about to come true. She could see it there before her eyes. She could smell it, and practically taste it. Twenty-five years old and she was finally about to become self-sufficient.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea.” The cowboy sitting next to her sounded worried but she dismissed his concern. She’d heard all the arguments she cared to hear.

“I’ll be fine.” She jumped from the wagon seat and headed to the back where her things waited to be moved to her new home. Only one small problem remained. Or perhaps it was a large problem.

She had no house.

Roper Jones climbed down slowly, reluctantly. “Where you planning to sleep?”

“Eddie lent me a tent.” She’d spent the winter at Eden Valley Ranch where Eddie Gardiner was boss and had recently married Linette. When Linette had discovered Cassie living in the Montreal train station after the death of her husband, she had gathered Cassie under her wing and taken her to Eden Valley Ranch with her. After Linette and Eddie married, they’d insisted Cassie was more than welcome to remain and share their big house but it was time for Cassie to move on. For months, ever since she’d reached the Eden Valley Ranch, her dream had been growing. There was a time she thought a secure future meant depending on a man, but she’d grown to see she didn’t need a man to take care of her. She could take care of herself. It had become her dream and that dream was about to be realized.

“You’re mighty determined.” Roper’s chuckle sounded a tiny bit regretful. He hoisted the tent and a couple of bags from the wagon and headed for the little patch of land Cassie had persuaded Mr. Macpherson to sell her. He’d been reluctant about selling to a woman but she pointed out she was the head of her household—although she refrained from mentioning it was a household of one—and a widow, which entitled her to file on a homestead.

“Guess if the government would allow me to own one hundred and sixty acres for a homestead, I can buy a small lot.” Her words had persuaded him, and no one else had raised an objection.

Roper set her things on the ground and leaned back on his heels. “Cassie, this doesn’t seem like a good idea to me. Why not come back to the ranch?” His grin did nothing to erase the disapproval in his eyes.

She planted her feet on her own piece of land and sighed. “I realize you’re only wanting to help but believe me this is exactly where I want to be and what I want to do.” She turned full circle, mentally measuring the boundaries of her lot. It lay behind Macpherson’s store, close enough that she could supply the bread for his store, once she had a stove, as part payment for the lumber for her house. Yet it was far enough to be out of sight of the freight wagons, stagecoaches and riders passing the store.

Roper followed her visual inspection until they’d both gone full circle and ended looking at each other. He was a pleasant enough man with a ready smile tipped a little crookedly at the moment. Stocky built, solid even. A good head of brown hair mostly hidden under his cowboy hat. A square face. His hazel eyes were always full of kindness and hope, though she’d gone out of her way to make it clear he need not pin any hope on her.

“Why must you insist on this foolishness?” He swung about to indicate the vast open prairies, the rolling foothills, the bold Rocky Mountains. “Ain’t nothing but nothing out here. A few cows. A few cowboys. A store. A settler or two.”

Her gaze took in the wide land and for a moment rested on the mountaintops that seemed to poke the blue sky. As always they made her feel stronger, and she brought her mind back to Roper’s concern. “And Mr. Macpherson,” she added, “just a holler away.”

“Who’s to protect you from wild animals? Either the four-legged or two-legged kind?”

“Indeed. And who has protected me in the past? Sure wasn’t my dead husband.” She’d been so afraid sleeping in the railway station. “Nor my dead father. Certainly not my still-living grandfather.” She made a grating sound of disbelief.

“Must be the good Lord ’cause it sure ain’t your good sense.”

“Think what you will.” She turned away to examine the stack of belongings. “Thanks for bringing me to town and unloading my stuff.”

“You’re telling me to leave?”

“Don’t recall saying so but shouldn’t you get back to the ranch?”

“You’re bound and determined to do this?”

She faced him squarely. She would reveal no flicker of doubt. “I’m bound and determined.”

“Nothing I say will convince you to reconsider?”

“Figure you about said it all and still I’m here.”

But he didn’t move and she avoided looking at him. He’d already made his opinion clear as spring water. As had Linette and Eddie.

“It goes against my better judgment to leave you here alone.”

“This is something I have to do.” She didn’t bother explaining her reasons, afraid they would look foolish to anyone else. But she was through feeling indebted to someone for her care.

He pressed his hand to hers. “Cassie, at least let me help you set up some kind of camp.”

The weight of his hand, the warmth of his palm, the way he curled his fingers around hers made her realize how much she would miss him. But when he reached for the tent, she grabbed his arm to stop him. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry about me.” Even though she had pointedly ignored him all winter it was comforting in some strange, unexplainable way to know he was there, on the periphery of her world.

But she would not depend on anyone. She’d long ago learned the cost of doing so. She had to make her own security. She fussed with the ropes around the rolled-up canvas tent. “I plan to manage on my own.”

He edged past her, shuffled toward the wagon, never taking his eyes from her.

She did her best to keep her attention on the pile of belongings at her feet but couldn’t keep from glancing his way when the wagon creaked as he stepped up.

He sighed loud enough to make the horse prick up its ears. “Look, it ain’t like I’m asking to be your partner or anything like that.” He grinned as if to inform her he considered the idea plumb foolish. “Just want to make sure you’re going to be okay.”

“I’m going to be just fine.” She lifted her hand in farewell.

With a shake of his head, he drove away.

She watched until the trail of dust hid the wagon. Only then did she turn and face her predicament. She had land of her own. A nice level bit of ground with trees surrounding it and the river a few steps away.

She had plans to support herself, and a tent to provide temporary shelter. She had a pile of lumber that would become her home.

There was only one small hitch.

She had no notion of how to transform that pile of lumber into a house.

First things first. She would erect the tent and prepare camp.

Three hours later, she had managed to sort out the ropes and stakes for the tent and put it up. Sure it sagged like a weary old man but it was up. She’d unrolled her bedding along one side and slipped her derringer under her pillow. Whatever Roper thought of her she wasn’t foolish enough to be unprepared.

Macpherson had provided a saw, hammer and nails with the lumber. She carried them to the pile of lumber and stared helplessly. She had no idea how to begin.

God, I know there must be a way to do this. Surely you can help me.

But she heard no voice from the clouds, nor did she feel a sudden burst of inspiration. As usual she’d have to figure it out on her own.

* * *

Roper muttered to himself as he headed toward the ranch. Stupid woman. If he didn’t know better he would think she was crazy in the head. But he’d watched her all winter, seeing the pain and defiance behind her brown eyes and wanting to erase it.

From the beginning Cassie had been as prickly as a cactus. Over the winter she’d mellowed. Her black hair had gone from dull and stringy to glistening and full. Morose, even sour, at the start, she’d started to laugh more often.

He shook his head and grunted. But she’d changed in other ways, too. She’d grown downright stubborn and independent.

He adjusted his hat to suit him better and swatted away an ornery fly that wouldn’t leave him alone.

Growing up in an orphanage he’d learned if he helped people, made them laugh, life was more pleasant for everyone. He’d become adept at smoothing out problems in order to maintain peace.

He ached that Cassie refused to let him help in any way.

“Shoot. Best thing I can do is forget all about her.” Something else he’d grown good at—letting people go. He’d learned the hard way not to expect permanence. Still he’d be giving Eddie every excuse known to man to ride to town until he was certain she was well settled. In fact, he’d leave the job and stay in town if he could think of any reasonable excuse. After all, he had no particular ties to the ranch. To any place for that matter.

But he could think of no reason to hang about town other than to make sure Cassie was safe and happy. Seems she was only too happy to see him gone so maybe he’d accomplished one of his goals.

A dark shape on the trail ahead caught his eye and he blinked. He pulled the horse to a halt and stared. Rubbed his eyes and stared some more.

He’d seen mirages of trees and water but he’d never seen a mirage of kids. He squinted hard. Three kids. Four, if that squirming armload was another.

He called to them as he edged the wagon forward.

The huddle of young ’uns left the trail and ran toward the trees a distance away.

“Now hold up there.”

The kids picked up speed.

Roper quickly secured the reins and jumped to the ground, breaking into an awkward trot. His bowed legs weren’t made for running but he didn’t let that slow him much.

One of the kids hollered, “Hurry.”

Another started to cry.

He couldn’t bear to hear a kid crying and he slowed. But just for a moment. Kids didn’t belong out in the middle of nowhere all alone. It wasn’t a bit safe. He forced his legs to pump harder and closed the distance.

The biggest one turned and faced him, a scowl on her pretty little face. “Leave us alone!”

He skidded to a halt and took their measure. The girl looked about twelve, maybe a little older. She held a trembling younger girl maybe two years old. Roper couldn’t see anything of the little one but the fine golden hair and impossibly tiny shoulders. Then there was a boy a year or two younger than the older girl. And between them, face full of fear and defiance, a young lad of maybe six or seven. The look on each face held a familiar expression...one he had seen time and again in the orphanage that had been his only home. It spelled fear. And trouble.

He held up his hands knowing the bunch wasn’t ready to see the folly of their attitude. “I mean you no harm but I can’t help wondering what four young ’uns are doing out here halfway between nowhere and nothin’.”

The eldest two exchanged glances, and a silent message passed between them. The boy answered. “None of yer business.”

Roper backed off a step but rocked on the balls of his feet, ready to grab them if they tried to escape. “Long way from here to someplace.” They’d been headed away from Edendale so he guessed that wasn’t their destination of choice. “You might get a little hungry and thirsty.”

The girl glared at him. “We don’t need no help.”

He sighed. Where had he heard that before? And he didn’t like it any better from the lips of a young gal with nothing more than the company of three younger kids and a gut full of determination than he had hearing it from Cassie. “How about you let me give you a ride at least?”

Again that silent communication. The young lad signaled to the older girl and they lowered their heads to hold a confab.

He waited, letting them think they were in control but he had no intention of turning around and leaving them there.

They straightened, and the oldest answered, “We’ll accept a ride. For a little ways.”

“Best we introduce ourselves,” Roper said, and gave his name. “I work on a ranch over in the hills there.”

Three pairs of eyes followed the direction he indicated and he could see their interest. He turned to the kids. “Now tell me who you are.”

The big girl nodded. “I’m Daisy. This is Neil.” She indicated the older boy, then nudged the younger one. “Billy, and Pansy.”

“Suppose you got a last name.”

“Locke.”

“Well, howdy.” He held out a hand but they shrank back. He waited, wanting them to know he meant them nothing but kindness. Finally Neil grabbed his hand and gave a good-size squeeze. The boy had grit for sure. Guess they all did to be out here alone.

He led them to the wagon. They insisted on sitting together in the back. He climbed to the seat but didn’t move.

“Mister?” Daisy sounded scared.

He shifted to face them. “It might help if I had some idea where you want to go.”

Again a silent discussion then Daisy nodded. “We’re looking for our pa. He set out to get himself some land close to the mountains. Maybe you heard of him. Thaddeus Locke.”

He’d heard of the man. One of the only settlers in the area. Last time he’d been mentioned in Roper’s hearing was last fall. “Where’s your mother?”

“She died. Before she did, she made us promise to find our pa.” Daisy’s voice quivered but she held her head high.

“Well, let’s find him, then. Mr. Macpherson will know where his farm is.” Macpherson knew everything about everyone within a hundred miles. ’Course that didn’t mean more than a couple hundred people, not counting Indians. Roper turned the wagon about.

“You don’t know where our papa lives?” Neil asked.

“Can’t say as I do.” The kids murmured behind him and he glanced over his shoulder. Little Pansy rested her head against Daisy’s shoulder, big blue eyes regarding him solemnly, unblinkingly. The kid had been aptly named with eyes as wide as the flower. “We’ll soon be at Macpherson’s store.” The collection of low buildings clung to the trail ahead, trees of various kinds clustered behind the buildings. His gaze sought the little area behind the store. As they drew closer he saw Cassie had almost managed to get the tent standing, but it swayed like a broken-down old mare. He chuckled. Wouldn’t take more than a cupful of rain to bring it down and soak everything inside, including her if it happened while she slept. The canvas flapped in the wind. Fact was she might not have to wait for rain to topple the tent. A breeze made by bird wings would do the trick.

“Whoa.” He jumped down and went to the back of the wagon.

Already Neil was on his feet with Pansy and he helped Daisy to the ground as Billy scampered down to join them. All four regarded him with wary eyes.

He pushed his hat farther back on his head and returned their study. “Your ma would be proud of you.” Where had that come from? The words must have been dropped to his tongue by the good Lord because the three older kids beamed, and Pansy gave him a shy smile that turned around in his heart and nestled there. “Now let’s find your pa.”

They trooped into the store. Macpherson leaned across the counter talking with another man. Roper recognized the North-West Mounted Police officer, Kipp Allen. “Howdy, Constable. Didn’t see your horse outside.”

The man nodded a greeting. Even though he lounged against the counter, he had a way of holding himself that let you know he saw clear through you. “He threw a shoe. He’s down at the smithy.” His eyes shifted to the young ’uns and he straightened, his gaze watchful.

Roper paid him no mind. “Macpherson, these here are the Locke kids looking for their pa, Thaddeus Locke. I’ll give them transport if you tell me where I can find him.”

Macpherson blinked. Just once but enough for Roper to wonder what secret the man had. “Best you be asking the constable.”

Roper shifted to meet Allen’s study. “I’m asking.”

The Mountie’s eyes softened and he faced the children. “I’m sorry to inform you that your pa passed away last winter. I buried him on his property.”

Neil and Daisy drew in a gasp.

Orphans. Just like him. Roger remembered well the loneliness, the discouragement of it. How many times had he held his breath and watched a man and woman come to the orphanage for a child? Waiting. Wanting. Hoping. Never chosen. The matron tried to comfort him. “People want to know your background.” But he had no background. No name. Only what someone had given him after he was discovered as a squalling infant on the doorstep. “You’d do well to forget about a home and family,” she’d said.

He tried to heed her advice and turned his attention to helping others. Making them laugh. Teaching them how to smile for strangers so they would be chosen. Helping others find a home helped him find his joy and satisfaction.

But as he grew older and left the orphanage he forgot the matron’s sound advice. Until it was too late. He learned the hard way that his background mattered more than who he was. After that experience he knew he would never belong in a forever family.

Small whimpers brought Roper’s attention back to the children. Billy’s eyes were wide as dishpans. Pansy stuck her fingers in her mouth and burrowed against Neil’s shoulder.

“What...how’d he die?” Neil squeaked out.

The Mountie closed the distance between himself and the children. Roper automatically stepped away, out of respect for the sorrow visibly carved on their faces.

“Son.” The man clasped Neil’s shoulder. “I regret to have to tell you that he froze to death. Near as I can figure he went out in a storm to check on his animals and got turned around trying to get back to his cabin.” He let the news sink in. “I have admiration for a man who is willing to face hard things rather than shirk his responsibilities. You kids can be proud of him.”

Although the kids seemed to welcome the praise, Roper couldn’t help wondering if staying safe for his family wouldn’t have been more responsible than worrying about a couple or three animals.

The Mountie straightened. “We’ll see you get back to your mother.”

“Mama’s dead.” Billy blurted out the announcement, then sobbed into Daisy’s dress.

“I see. What other family do you have?”

Daisy’s mouth worked silently for a moment. Life had dished out a lot of bad news for them. No doubt she reeled inside, making it difficult to recall things.

“Mama had a brother but we haven’t heard from him since I was Billy’s size.”

“Do you know where he was at the time?” The Mountie pulled out a little notepad, ready to jot down the information.

“We were living in Toronto then. It was before Papa decided we would do better to move West. He always wore a suit. I think I remember Mama saying he was a lawyer. Maybe. I can’t be certain.”

“Do you remember his name?”

“Jack. And Mama’s name before she married was Munro.”

“Can you spell it?”

Neil answered. “I can. I saw it in the Bible.” He spelled it.

The Mountie wrote it down, closed his notepad and stuffed it into his breast pocket. “Fine. We’ll locate him for you. In the meantime, we’ll have to find a place for you to live.” He turned to Roper. “I expect Mrs. Gardiner would take them in.”

“Normally, yes.” His boss’s wife shared her home with anyone who needed it. “But she’s been awfully sick. The boss has been plenty worried about her. I ’spect he’d say no to the idea.”

“Then I’ll have to take them back to the fort.”

“And then what?”

“No one will likely take four but we’ll split them up between willing families. Or...” He didn’t finish the thought.

But Roper knew.

Send them to an orphanage.

Daisy stepped back, Neil at her side. They pressed Billy behind them and Pansy between them both holding her tight.

“We aren’t going,” Daisy said.

“We’re sticking together,” Neil added.

And then Roper heard himself say, “I’ll look after them.”

The kids relaxed so quickly he was surprised Pansy didn’t drop to the floor.

Billy poked his head out between his older brother and sister. “You will?”

“Now wait a minute.” The Mountie held up his hands. “You live in a bunkhouse when you’re not out on the range. You expect to bunk these children with you or carry them on horseback across the mountains?”

“Well, no.” Put that way it sounded pretty dumb. But something about their predicament forced him to speak and act on their behalf. “But I’ll think of something.” Eddie wouldn’t object to giving him some time off. If he did, there were other ranches that could use another cowhand. His smile tightened. Eddie was a good boss. Roper liked working for him. But he wouldn’t let these kids be sent someplace they weren’t wanted. No siree.

The sound of a pounding hammer came from behind the store. The corners of his mouth lifted. “I know a young woman who will help me care for them.” If he could make her see what a good arrangement this was for all concerned. It was perfect. God sent. He could help Cassie get set up. In return, she could help care for the kids until the uncle came. Then he’d be at ease about moving on and letting her run her business.

The assurance in his voice caused the Mountie to study him carefully. Then he shook his head. “’Fraid I can’t simply take your word for it.” He turned to the kids. “I’ll find a wagon and be right back for you.” He headed for the door.

The kids pressed tight to each other, fear vibrating from them.

Roper leaped forward, catching the Mountie before he could open the door. “Constable, there’s no need for that. Give me a chance to make arrangements.” He bored his eyes into the Mountie’s but the man had more experience staring down people and Roper thought he’d blink before the Mountie finally relented.

“Tell you what. I’ve got to check on my horse and finish my business here. That’d give you enough time to arrange things?”

What he meant was that was how much time he’d allow Roper and his silly idea. “It’s all I need.”

“I’ll be back shortly.” The Mountie pushed past him, and strode down the street.

Roper wanted to holler at him to take his time but knew the Mountie would do as he chose. Instead, he turned to contemplate the kids and his predicament. All he needed was a convincing argument. But if Cassie got all independent and resisted the idea, what would he do? He needed help from the good Lord and he uttered a silent prayer. “Come on, kids. I think I know just the place for you.” As he shepherded them out the door, he prayed some more. If ever he needed God’s help—and he had many times in his life—it was now.

Chapter Two

Cassie had heard a wagon stop at the store but she paid it no mind. Her thoughts were on other things.

She pulled out a length of wood and dragged it to the site she’d chosen for the house and laid it alongside the other three she’d put there. She still had no idea how to proceed. Did she build the floor and put the walls on top? Did she make the walls and build the floor inside? How did she put in the windows?

She sat down on the stack of lumber and stared at the four pieces of wood. If she had the money she’d hire someone to do this. Someone who knew what they were doing. Someone who would expect nothing in return but his wages. But she was out of funds. Roper’s offer to help flashed across her mind but she dismissed the idea. She did not want to be owing a man for any reason. She bolted to her feet. She’d ask Macpherson what to do, and she’d do it. By herself.

Her mind set, her back stiff, she turned and staggered to a stop as a wagon drew up before her property.

Roper jumped down, leaving a boy on the seat. She thought she glimpsed two or three more kids in the wagon but she must be dreaming. Why would Roper have kids with him? She supposed the boy could be headed out to work at the ranch, though he looked too young to have to earn his way in life. But if Roper took him to the ranch Eddie and Linette would see he was properly treated. He could be a companion for Grady, the four-year-old boy Linette had rescued on her ocean voyage from England.

Roper crossed the grassy property and stopped two feet from her. “See you’re about ready to move into your house.” His grin mocked her.

“Check back in a week or so and your grin won’t be so wide.”

He glanced at the lumber on the ground. “Guess you know what you’re doing.”

What he meant was, You’re lost in the fog. “I was about to ask advice from Macpherson. Who are those kids?” Three pairs of eyes peered at her over the edge of the wagon and the boy on the seat watched with unusual interest.

Roper removed his hat, scratched his head until his hair looked like a windblown haystack then shoved the hat back on, adjusting it several ways until he was satisfied.

She’d never seen the man at a loss for words. “Roper, what are you up to? You haven’t kidnapped them, have you?”

“Nothing like that.” He stared at the wagon and the kids, who stared right back.

“Well, what is it like?” She alternated between watching Roper and watching the kids as wariness continued to creep across her neck like a spider.

He faced her so quickly she stepped back, as much from his bleak expression as from being startled. “The kids’ mother is dead. They came West hoping to join up with their pa but they just heard he’s dead, too.”

Cassie’s heart dipped low, leaving her slightly dizzy. She remembered what it was like to hear your pa had died, recalled what it felt like to suddenly be homeless.

“I said I would keep them until their uncle sends for them. Or comes for them.”

“Roper, how will you look after four children?”

“I will.”

She didn’t bother pointing out the obvious arguments. “Why are you here?”

He gave her a look rife with possibilities and she didn’t like any of them. “I know how to build a house. I could put this up for you in short order.”

“We’ve had this discussion.”

He snatched the hat from his head. “Hear me out. What I have in mind is a business proposition.” He paused, waiting for her response.

“I’m listening.” The word business appealed to her. She had every intention of becoming a successful businesswoman.

“I plan to take care of the kids until the Mountie finds their uncle. But I can’t do it alone. If you helped I would pay you by building your house.” He grinned, as pleased with himself as could be. “I’ll stay here, in a tent, as long as it takes me to build it.”

She stared at him, turned to study the kids who listened intently. She wanted to help. Not for Roper’s sake but because her heart tugged at her. She knew how uncertain the children would be feeling right now. She hoped their uncle would welcome them, unlike her grandfather who had never welcomed Cassie and her mother. He’d made it clear every day how much it cost him, though the way he’d worked Ma she knew he’d gotten a bargain in the arrangement. Cassie didn’t want the children to feel as lost as she had felt, but if she went along with Roper’s suggestion would he end up thinking he had the right to control her life? She would never give up her dream of being self-sufficient.

The youngest boy sank back in the wagon. “She don’t want to help us,” he muttered.

The words were slightly different than the ones that had echoed in her head from the time she was nine until she’d run off to marry George, but the ache was the same. The need to be accepted, to feel secure.

Before she could reason past the emotion, she turned to Roper. “It’s a deal.” She held out her hand, and they shook. He held her hand a moment longer than the shake required, his eyes warm and thankful. She clamped her lips together and tried to deny the feeling that the two of them had stepped across an invisible line and entered strange new territory.

He released her hand and turned to the children. “Come on, kids. You’re staying here.”

They scrambled from the wagon and edged their way over to face Cassie. She felt their uncertainty like a heat wave.

She wanted to ease that fear. “You’ll be safe here as long as you need.”

The oldest girl teared up. “Thank you. Thank you.”

The oldest boy’s expression remained guarded. Cassie knew he wouldn’t easily accept words; he’d have to see for himself they were more than empty promises.

Roper introduced them all and at Cassie’s request they gave their ages: Daisy, thirteen; Neil, twelve; Billy, six; and Pansy, two.

Cassie quickly assessed them. They seemed weary and afraid but not defeated, especially Daisy who appeared competent in her role as mother, her watchful brown eyes never leaving her siblings.

Neil, too, seemed strong though not yet grown past childhood. His brown hair was in need of a cut, she noted as he stared at Cassie with the same deep brown eyes as Daisy.

The two younger children were both fair-haired, like their older sister, and blue-eyed and clung to their older siblings.

They all shuffled their feet and grew exceedingly quiet as the Mountie crossed from Macpherson’s store.

“You kids ready to go?”

Cassie shot Roper a look full of hot accusation. He had neglected to say anything about the NWMP having a claim to these children. What else had he not told her?

“Constable, they’ll be staying here with us.” Roper included Cassie in his announcement.

The Mountie looked about slowly, taking in the pile of lumber, the tiny sagging tent and likely a whole lot more. His gaze stopped at Cassie. “Are you in agreement with sheltering these children temporarily?”

She nodded, too nervous to speak as he studied her. His look seemed to see a whole lot more than the tight smile she gave him.

His gaze again went to the tent.

Roper stepped forward. “I guarantee they’ll be as safe and dry as any kids setting out with their folks in a wagon.”

He might as well have said things would be a little rough.

The Mountie didn’t answer for several minutes then shook his head. “This is most unusual. Two unmarried people caring for a family. However, I’ve had reports about a group of Indians stirring up trouble and I need to check on them before I head back to the fort. Should be gone a few days. I’ll leave the children in your care until then. When I get back, I’ll make my decision.” He donned his Stetson to indicate the interview was over and headed back to the store.

Tension filled the air after he left. Cassie searched for something to ease the moment, but as she glanced about, the enormity of the situation hit her.

“Where is everyone going to sleep?” She waved her hand toward her tent that grew more bowed with each puff of wind. Obviously that wouldn’t be sufficient.

The kids considered the tent. As if the thought of so many inside was too much for it to contemplate, the tent collapsed with a heavy sigh.

Billy giggled. “It got tired and laid down.”

For some reason his words tickled his brother and older sister and they pressed their hands to their mouths, trying to contain errant giggles. They failed miserably and stopped trying.

Pansy’s eyes widened and she gurgled at their amusement—a sweet pleasing sound that brought a smile to Cassie’s mouth.

Their reaction was likely the result of all the emotion of the past few hours, Cassie reasoned. She glanced toward Roper. As he met her gaze, he started to chuckle.

“I don’t see what’s so funny about the prospect of sleeping out in the open.” But there was something infectious about the laughter around her and she could no longer keep a straight face.

They laughed until she was weak in the knees and had wiped tears from her face several times.

As if guided by some silent signal they all grew quiet at once.

“I’ll put up a temporary shelter,” Roper said. He headed toward the pile of lumber.

Neil sprang after him. “I can help.”

“’Preciate that. Let’s find something to build half walls with.”

“Half walls?” Cassie asked.

“Temporary but solid. I’ll get some canvas from Macpherson to cover the top. It will be warm and dry until we get the house done.”

Neil grabbed the end of a board that Roper indicated.

Cassie trotted over and reached for a second board.

Roper caught her shoulder and stopped her. “I can handle this.”

Did he think he could simply take over? “We need to discuss our arrangement.” She edged away from the children so they wouldn’t hear the conversation. “I want to be clear this is only while the children are here.”

“Cassie, that’s all I expect.” Something about the way his eyes darkened made her think of retracting her words. But only for a quick second.

“I don’t need or want help for my sake.”

He lifted his gaze to the sky as if seeking divine help then grinned at her.

She gave his amusement no mind. “I’d pay you if I could.”

“You take care of the kids.” He tipped his head toward the quartet. Neil had joined the others and they regarded her warily. “I want nothing more.”

“Good. So long as you understand completely.”

“You’ve made yourself more than clear. Now about the children...”

“Of course.” She had no idea how she could manage until they had some sort of shelter and a stove, but she’d keep her part of the bargain and care for them. She squared her shoulders as she joined them. “When was the last time you ate?”

“We’re not hungry,” Daisy said but the way Billy’s eyes widened with hope and little Pansy stopped sucking her fingers, Cassie knew Daisy did not speak for the others. “I’ll make tea.” She headed for the tent to retrieve her stack of dishes. She lifted the canvas and crawled inside, fighting the billows of rough material. A moment later, she backed out with her hands full.

Billy giggled.

“Shh,” Daisy warned.

He sobered but the way his lips trembled tickled the inside of Cassie’s stomach.

“I feel like a bug crawling out from a hole.” She grinned and ran her hands over her hair.

“Pretty big bug.” Billy’s smile flickered and sputtered to an end as Daisy poked him in the back.

“He doesn’t mean anything bad. He just hasn’t learned to think before he speaks.” Daisy’s stare dared him to say anything more.

“Have, too.”

Cassie chuckled. Obviously the boy didn’t seem inclined to listen to Daisy’s warnings, silent or otherwise. To distract him, she said, “Billy, why don’t you gather up some firewood?” There was plenty of it lying about. Neil had gone back to helping Roper so she asked Daisy, “Could you help with these things?” She indicated the kettle and the box of supplies.

Daisy jiggled Pansy farther up on her hip and grabbed the kettle.

It was on the tip of Cassie’s tongue to suggest that Daisy put her sister down but she wondered if either of them were ready to be separated and decided to leave it be.

It didn’t take long to get a fire going and hang the kettle over it. Roper paused from his work to drag logs close.

“Benches,” he explained, and she thanked him.

She took the biscuits and jam out of her provisions and when the tea was ready she called Roper and Neil. The other children hovered beside the fire, Pansy still riding Daisy’s hip.

Roper hung the hammer over the board walls he had started and squatted to begin a mock fistfight with Neil. “You hungry, boy, or do you want to stay here working?”

“I’m hungry.” Neil batted Roper’s harmless fists away and tried to jab Roper’s stomach.

Roper bounced away on the balls of his feet, still throwing mock punches.

As Neil laughed, the other three watched, their expressions relaxed, the guardedness gone from their posture.

Cassie studied them. Strange how the kids seemed to feel comfortable with Roper. Maybe because he was always laughing and teasing. Didn’t he know there were times to be serious? Times to think about the future?

The pair reached the campfire.

“I haven’t a cup for everyone until I unpack some boxes.” She indicated the crates nearby. In one of them were dishes purchased from Macpherson that she planned to use when she served meals to people passing through in need of a feed and willing to pay for it.

“We’ll share,” Daisy said and offered a drink to Pansy from her cup. “Neil and Billy can share, too.” Her look ordered them to agree without fuss and they nodded.

Cassie dipped her head to hide her smile. Daisy had taken on the role of mother. She didn’t have much choice but Cassie wondered how long it would be before the others, especially Neil, decided otherwise. Still smiling she lifted her head and encountered Roper’s gaze. He darted a glance at the kids and winked at her.

Winked! Like she was a common trollop he found on the street. Her cheeks burned. Her heart caught fire. How dare he?

He left his perch by Neil and plopped to the log beside Cassie. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to offend you. I meant only to signal that I understood the way you’d read the children.” He kept his voice low as the kids shared their drinks. “Neil and Daisy are both strong. So far they work together for the good of all. I hope it continues until their uncle arrives.”

Cassie stumbled over her thoughts. She’d misread his action and now she was embarrassed and uncertain how to undo it. Best to simply face it honestly and move on. “Apology accepted and please accept my own regrets for being so quick to jump to offense.”

He nodded but the air between them remained heavy with awkwardness.

“Those biscuits for eating?” Billy asked, eyeing the plate of biscuits and jam.

“Billy.” Daisy grabbed his arm. “Mind your manners.”

Neil watched Cassie with a look of uncertainty that made her forget any lingering embarrassment. How well she understood that look. Even more, she knew the fluttering in the pit of one’s stomach that accompanied it. She wanted more than anything to put a stop to the kids feeling that way—and equally as much to lose the memory of that sensation.

“Billy, you’re right. I’ve forgotten my manners as the hostess. Thank you for reminding me.” She grabbed the plate and handed it around. “Take two,” she insisted. She stopped in front of Neil. “We don’t know each other and you might not be here long enough that we ever do but while you are here, you are safe. I expect each of you to be cooperative and polite but I’m not about to change my mind when you slip up. I won’t kick you to the curb.” She chuckled softly and glanced toward Macpherson’s store. “Guess it might be a little hard seeing as there isn’t even a street let alone a curb.” She returned her gaze to Neil. “What I’m trying to say is you can trust me.”

Neil held her gaze for a heartbeat then took two biscuits. “Thank you.”

She didn’t expect to win his approval overnight but it was a start. She held the plate and the remaining biscuits out to Roper.

He shook his head. “Give them to the kids. I’ll go out early tomorrow and rustle up some more food.”

Seems she would be depending on him far more than she cared to. Her whole goal had been to be free of obligation and debt. She ached to say it again but not while the children were listening.

The kids finished their food, handed Cassie their cups and quietly thanked her. They sat on their crude log benches, fingers twitching, their gazes darting about and long sighs escaping their lips.

Their restlessness made her skin tingle. “Go ahead and play while we have some more tea.” She refilled Roper’s cup and they watched as the kids hurried away to the other side of the walls Roper had constructed. As soon as they were out of sight, tension grabbed Cassie’s muscles. This was a far cry from what she’d planned. Her agreement to work with him felt like a walk back into the very thing she meant to escape. “How long do you think it will take to contact the uncle?”

“I wouldn’t venture a guess. Why? You already wishing I was gone?”

“You make me sound rude and ungrateful. I’m not. I just have plans. Goals. Don’t you?”

He stared off in the distance for a moment, his expression uncharacteristically serious. Then he flashed her a teasing grin. “Now that you mention it, I guess I don’t. Apart from making sure the kids are safe.”

“I find that hard to believe. Don’t you want to get your own ranch?”

He shrugged, his smile never faltering. “Don’t mind being free to go where I want, work for the man I wish to work for.”

She wanted him to admit to more than that. “Wouldn’t you like to have a family of your own?”

The corners of his eyes flattened. The only sign that he wasn’t still amused. “I never think of family.”

She puffed out a sigh. “Family can be a pain.”

He shrugged again. “Wouldn’t know. Never had any except for the other kids in the orphanage.” He laughed. “An odd sort of family, I guess. No roots. Changing with the seasons.”

She didn’t answer. Her grandfather had made the word family uncomfortable for her but that was different than what Roper meant. She didn’t know how to respond to his description of family. With no response coming to her mind, she shifted back to her concern. “Roper, about our arrangement. I—”

He chuckled. “I know what you’re going to say but this isn’t about you or me. It’s about the kids.”

“So long as you remember that.”

“I aim to. I got rules you know. Like never stay where you’re not wanted. Don’t put down roots you’ll likely have ripped out.”

She guessed there was a story behind his last statement. Likely something he’d learned by bitter experience but she didn’t bother to ask. “I plan to put down roots right here.” She jabbed her finger toward the ground.

“That’s the difference between you and me.” The grin remained on his lips but she noticed it didn’t reach his eyes.

She studied him. “I’m guessing taking care of other people’s business is another of your rules.”

He laughed out loud at that. “Seems I got more rules than I realized.”

Whispers and giggles came from behind the wooden walls. “Do you think they’ll be okay?”

“You did good in telling them they’ll be safe here.” His grin seemed to be both approving and teasing.

How did he do that? Never quite serious. Always positive. Certainly different than how her grandfather had been. Thinking of the older man, she shifted her concern to the children. “They will be safe as much as it lies within me to make it so.” And they’d never be made to feel like they were burdens. Not if she had anything to do with it.

“Good to know.” He eased to his feet. “Watch this.” He tiptoed to the half walls, glancing back at her with a wide grin. He held his finger to his mouth to signal her to silence then he edged around the corner and jumped into the children’s view, yelling wildly.

Pansy screamed, Daisy gasped loudly enough for Cassie to hear her, and then started to laugh. Neil let out a yell. At the same time Billy hollered and ran diagonally across the lot.

Next thing she knew, Roper was tearing after Billy. “I’m going to catch you.”

Billy looked over his shoulder, saw Roper bearing down on him and ran so fast his short legs could have churned butter. Not far behind Roper, Neil joined the pursuit.

Cassie jumped to her feet. What were they doing? Had Billy done something to annoy Roper? Was Neil trying to protect his brother? Aiming to protect the kids, she picked up her skirts and ran toward them.

Roper caught Billy and lifted him into the air. “Gotcha.” He plopped the boy on the ground, knelt over him and tickled him.

Cassie slowed to a halt. It was only play!

Neil reached them, and threw himself on Roper’s back. Roper flipped to his stomach, Neil still clinging to him.

“You got me. Oh. Ow. Let me go.”

Both boys piled on him, tickling and play fighting. At least she hoped it was play and by all the laughing she guessed it was. She knew little about play. Seemed her whole life had been work and if not work, then soberness and trying to please. Fun did not fit into either category. Somehow she thought it was that way for all children. Apparently Roper didn’t agree.

Daisy joined her, Pansy again riding her hip. “Don’t worry. The boys won’t hurt him.”

“I was worried about the boys.”

They looked at each other and laughed. Pansy gave a shy smile from the shelter of Daisy’s neck.

Cassie gave the little gal some study, taking in her wondrously big blue eyes that, in a few years, would bring grown men to her beck and call, and her fine blond hair that could use a combing. Suddenly she realized all the children were travel soiled. They would need baths and food and clean clothes and—

The enormity of the task she had taken on hit her like a falling pine. How could she possibly manage?

She sucked in air to relieve her anxiousness. It was a business arrangement that would result in having her house built, she told herself. It would help her achieve her dream. It was temporary and two of the kids were big enough to lend a hand. She could do this. She pushed her shoulders back as if stepping into a harness, and like a horse leaning into a load, she turned toward the fire.

Daisy followed on her heels. “I intend to do my share around here.”

“Fine. Let’s get the dishes done then heat water for baths.”

“I guess we are pretty dirty. Mama would scold us for sure.” Her voice quivered.

Cassie faced her. “I expect she would be proud that you’ve managed so well.”

Daisy nodded. “Roper said Ma and Pa would be proud of us.”

“Indeed.”

She washed the few dishes, handing them to Daisy to dry. Pansy sat at Daisy’s side, content to watch. As soon as they’d washed and dried the last cup, Cassie dragged out the big tub.

Roper saw her intent and he and Neil hauled more water from the nearby river.

As the water heated, Roper finished the walls and somehow built a frame for the roof on which to drape the canvas he purchased from Macpherson. With Neil’s help he brought over the stove Cassie had ordered and set it up in the new shelter.

Cassie eyed it with joy. She’d be able to start baking bread for Macpherson and paying off her loan a lot sooner than she’d anticipated.

With the kids helping, Roper soon had Cassie’s bed roll in one corner of the shelter, furs and blankets arranged for the children next to her bed. The stove and a crude table he’d put together made an area where she could work and feed the kids.

They dragged the tub under the canvas and filled it with water.

“I’ll bathe Pansy,” Daisy insisted.

Cassie didn’t protest. She hadn’t ever bathed a baby. Nor a two-year-old. Her heart clenched as she recalled her hope for babies. Twice she’d thought she’d welcome an infant into her arms but twice it wasn’t to be. They had never drawn breath after their births.

She turned away, unable to catch her breath, and slipped outside before anyone noticed.

Roper found her there. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She stared toward the sun dipping behind the mountains and breathed slowly, evenly.

He gently touched her shoulder. “Are you regretting your decision?”

“It was an act of God.”

His fingers tightened on her shoulder. “Are you talking about the children?”

She closed her eyes and pushed back a groan. Of course, he meant the children in the tent. “No, I don’t regret my decision. It will benefit me to get my house up as soon as possible.”

“You didn’t mean the kids, did you?”

His quiet question, the gentleness in his voice tugged at her soul, made her want to wail out her pain. But she’d learned to hide her hurt, bury her feelings. She didn’t know any other way of dealing with life. “I better go check on them.”

He blocked her retreat. “I think they can manage quite well without us. Let’s go for a walk.”

“I’m really too tired.”

“I want to show you where I’ll set up my camp in case you need me for anything.”

She stiffened her spine. “I think I can manage.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure you can but this is a business deal, remember? The kids are my responsibility.”

Somehow he had taken her elbow and herded her toward the river and a grove of trees.

“I’ll take the tent that collapsed on you and pitch it here.” He pointed. “If you need me, you have only to holler.”

“I won’t be hollering.”

“I expect not. But I feel better knowing anyone could and I’ll hear them.”

He meant the kids could call for him. “Why would they need you when I’ll be right there in the same tent or whatever you want to call it?”

“No reason. Just as there’s no reason to get all prickly about it.”

“Prickly?” She swallowed hard. “If I am it’s because you make me sound like I can’t manage on my own.”

He held up his hands in a sign of protest. “It never crossed my mind.”

“Well, then. So long as we understand each other.” She headed back to her site.

He chuckled softly, and followed her. “Oh, I get it.”

She ignored the note of triumph in his voice. How could he possibly comprehend? He had no idea of the events that had shaped her life and made her want nothing half as much as she wanted to be independent. Self-sufficient. “I don’t need anyone,” she muttered.

“Sounds mighty lonely to me.”

“You can be lonely with people around.” Thankfully they had reached camp and he didn’t get a chance to respond.

The sound of giggling stopped them, and they listened.

“That’s about the happiest sound in the world.” Roper seemed pleased, content even.

“How can they be happy? Their parents are dead. They’re orphans.” Their lives were full of uncertainty.

“A person can be as happy as they make up their mind to be.”

She’d heard the words before. “Linette said the same thing when we first arrived at the ranch.” She didn’t believe it was that simple any more now than she had then. People made demands of a person that made happiness impossible. It was why she intended to survive on her own.

“I figure you might as well choose to be happy as miserable.”

She heard the shrug in his voice. “Sometimes it isn’t up to you.”

“I suppose you’re right in the sense that our lives are in God’s hands and ultimately we have to trust Him. But knowing that makes it easy to enjoy life, don’t you think?”

Grateful for the dusk that hid her expression, Cassie murmured a sound that could be taken as agreement if he chose to interpret it as such. But inside, protests exploded. Didn’t God let man have a choice? Because of free will, not all men lived by God’s rules. Not all people were kind. Not all of life could be enjoyed.

She realized Roper was waiting for her answer. “Sometimes you have to work to get what you want from life. I trust God to help me achieve my goals.” Saying it out loud solidified it in her mind. God had given her the opportunity to own a plot of land and now, by caring for the children, she would get her house built much faster, and no doubt better, than she could have done it. God had given her what she needed. She would apply all her skill and strength to making it work. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to take care of my share of the responsibility.”

“And I need to get my camp set up while I can still see.” Still, he hesitated as if he wanted something more.

She searched her mind but could think of nothing more she needed to do. “Good night, then.”

“Good night. Call out if you need anything.” He turned and strolled away.

She watched until he dipped down toward the creek, out of sight. Yet she felt how close he was, how ready to come to her rescue.

He would soon learn she could manage on her own.

Chapter Three

Roper tethered the horse nearby then pitched the tent. When he finished, it had a nice taut roof line. He gathered up firewood and built a fire.

He stretched out on the bank, stared at the flickering flames and listened to the murmur of voices from up the hill. Everyone was secure and happy. He’d managed to deal with two issues at the same time. He could help Cassie put up her house and keep the kids safe and together.

More than that, he’d played with the boys and seen them relax. Now to do the same for the girls. Daisy took her responsibilities so seriously it might take her a while to let go. But Pansy could well prove the greatest challenge of them all. She was so young. So shy. He smiled up at the star-laden sky as he recalled how she ducked her face into Daisy’s shoulder when she made eye contact. She was comfortable enough to laugh only when Neil or Daisy held her.

But Roper wanted to see her comfortable enough to let Cassie and himself hold her and play with her.

All he had to do was gain her confidence.

He also meant to get Cassie to stop trying so hard. What was she aiming to prove, anyway? Everyone knew she could do whatever she set her mind to. She was like a stubborn badger in that way.

He’d once watched a furry little badger digging a hole, dirt flying faster than a man could shovel. The badger encountered a rock in his path and simply dug around it.

Cassie was almost as belligerent as a badger, too.

Why didn’t she accept life and enjoy it? Made no sense to fight it all the time.

He smiled as he thought how to deal with the quintet up the hill. In the morning he’d spend some time playing with them so they’d forget their troubles.

His breath eased out in a long contented sigh. He’d struck a great bargain in getting Cassie to agree to help him with the children in exchange for him putting up her house. He chuckled into the dark. What had she planned to do with that pile of lumber without his help? He could picture her fashioning a structure as shaky as the tent she’d put up.

Why was she so prickly about accepting help? He could build a good solid-frame house in a matter of days.

Mentally he planned the construction. He might have to drag it out longer than necessary in order to care for the young ’uns until their uncle made arrangements. But Cassie would know if he purposely dillydallied. He’d need a solid explanation she’d accept.

He sat up briskly and drew his knees to his chest. “Of course. That’s the answer.” She’d need a cellar to store her supplies in. It would take him a few days to dig one. Satisfied with his plan, he lay back again.

The sounds from up the hill subsided. Everyone was tucked in for the night. He kicked sand over the fire and went into the shelter of his tent. But he didn’t immediately fall asleep as he normally would. Instead, he thanked God for the opportunity to take care of both Cassie and the youngsters.

* * *

Next morning Roper was up with the dawn and bagged four partridges. He dressed them and roasted them over his fire. By the time he heard Pansy’s shrill voice, the birds were ready for breakfast and he marched up the hill.

Neil and Billy were outside, bleary-eyed in the morning sun.

“Morning, boys. I brought some breakfast in case anyone’s hungry.”

Both pairs of eyes immediately lost all sleepiness.

“I’m hungry,” Billy said.

“Never mind him. He’s always hungry.” But Neil’s gaze didn’t waver from studying the roasted birds.

Daisy led Pansy from the tiny abode. As soon as the little one saw Roper, she lifted her hands to her sister and insisted on being carried.

What would it take to get the littlest one to warm up to him? At that moment, Cassie stepped out, head down as she fingered her hair into submission in a ragged bun. Her distraction allowed him plenty of time to study her. Her black hair glistened like sun off water. She had a leanness to her that once made him think her frail. She’d soon disabused him of that notion. She was about as frail as a sapling clinging tenaciously to the side of a mountain in the midst of winter storms and summer heat. His heart sunk to the bottom of his chest. He’d had little success getting her to warm up to him.

Cassie grew still and sniffed, catching the scent of his offering. She lifted her gaze—full of interest until she saw him. Then the interest faded to resistance.

Must she always be so prickly?

“Brought breakfast,” he murmured before she could say anything.

She opened her mouth, glanced around at the expectant children and closed it again as if she needed to reconsider her reaction. “I expect the children are hungry. I’ve got a few more biscuits, as well.” She ducked back inside and reemerged with a pan to put the birds in and tin plates for everyone. “I dug out the dishes from my supplies.” She passed around plates for each.

“Guess I’ll need to build us a table and benches.” He slipped the birds from the spit as he talked and wiped his knife on his pant leg before he set to carving them.

The children watched in total fascination. Even little Pansy, although she kept her face pressed to Daisy’s shoulder, watched his knife slice off portions, drool wetting her sister’s dress. Seems it had been a few days since this bunch had had a good feed. He put a piece on each plate and Cassie added a biscuit. The youngsters perched on logs but no one took a bite.

Roper sent Cassie a questioning look. She shrugged. Then her mouth pursed as if she realized something. “I expect you’re all waiting for someone to say grace.”

Four heads nodded.

“Ma said we should never forget to thank the good Lord for His mercies,” Daisy said.

“I sure am thankful for breakfast,” Billy said. “It smells awfully good.” He swallowed hard.

Roper blinked as every pair of eyes turned to him. “Me?”

“You’re the man,” Neil pointed out. “Ma said it was a man’s job to lead the family. I said grace when Pa was away.” His chest swelled with pride then sank again. “But I’m just a kid.”

The expectation of these youngsters made Roper want to stand tall. Yes, he was a man. One who seldom thought to say grace when he was out on the trail and this wasn’t much different. Not that he couldn’t. But at the cook shack, Cookie or her husband, Bertie, said grace. It had been a long time since he’d spoken a prayer aloud. In fact—

“I could do it if you want I should,” Neil offered in an uncertain voice.

“No, I’ll do it.”

The children reached for each other’s hands. Billy reached for his hand on one side. That left Roper with one hand to extend toward Cassie. He hesitated. Would she refuse this gesture?

Daisy gave them both a look that was half scolding and half confused.

He reached for Cassie’s hand and she slipped hers into his as she darted a look at him from under black eyelashes. One eyebrow quirked as if daring him to read more into this than he should.

A grin threatened to split his face.

She sighed, and nodded toward the cooling food.

Still smiling, he bowed his head. Suddenly his mind went blank. What did Bertie or Cookie say? He should be able to remember. Cookie, especially, bellowed the words loud enough to brand them on his brain. “Dear God. Thanks for the food. Thanks for health and strength.” Cookie normally said more. Sometimes a whole lot more but he must have paid more attention to the aroma of the food waiting his attention than the words because they had disappeared. “Amen.”

The children attacked their food.

He didn’t realize he held Cassie’s hand in a deadly grip until she jerked his arm to get his attention. With an unrepentant grin, he freed her. He held her gaze for several seconds before she huffed and turned to her food. He got a kick out of teasing her.

A few minutes later the children finished and stared at the slower adults.

He felt their unasked question. “What?”

Neil and Daisy exchanged a silent look that spoke volumes.

“Spit it out.” He swallowed the last bit of biscuit and put his plate on the ground before him. “You might as well say what’s on your mind. After all, we’re going to be together for a time.” He figured it would a few days for the Mountie to take care of his business. He hoped he could then persuade the man to leave the children with them while he contacted the uncle. Daisy nodded. “Ma made us promise we’d make sure the little ones are raised right and that we continue some of our practices that both Ma and Pa held as important.”

He guessed Daisy was going someplace with this information but he had no idea where and turned his questioning gaze to Cassie, wondering if she got the drift, but she merely shrugged.

“What practice did you have in mind, Daisy?”

Daisy glanced at Neil who nodded encouragement.

She took a deep breath. “Ma, and Pa before he left, always read to us from the Bible after breakfast. And they prayed for us to have a good day and be safe. You could be like Pa.”

Roper stared. He guessed he looked as surprised as he felt. Being raised in an orphanage, he had no knowledge of this kind of thing. Of course, he knew families had traditions but he thought that meant trimming the Christmas tree or going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for Sunday dinner.

He swallowed hard and clamped his lips together. The idea of playing pa to these youngsters...

It sounded mighty appealing but he had no idea how it was done.

He managed to find his voice. “I got no Bible.”

Daisy turned to Cassie. “Do you?”

She nodded. “I’ll get it.” She hustled to the shelter, and disappeared from sight. They all stared after her.

Roper had to wonder if the children felt as awkward as he. But likely not. This was familiar to them.

Cassie returned and handed him a Bible bound in brown leather. He trailed his fingers over the soft cover.

“It was my husband’s.”

He lifted his head to meet her gaze. He knew she’d been married before. Their first introduction referred to her as a widow. Yet holding this solid proof of a lost love did something unsettling to his insides. “You sure you don’t mind us using it?”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t do much good tucked in the bottom of a bag, now does it? Besides, the children have made a request. Shouldn’t you try and fulfill it?”

He opened to the first page. Presented to George James Godfrey on the occasion of his sixteenth birthday by his loving parents.

Swallowing a lump of guilt, feeling as if he had inadvertently ventured into private territory, he quickly turned the page. This certifies that Cassie Ann Muddbottom and George James Godfrey were united in Holy Matrimony. He sputtered back a snort of laughter. Muddbottom. Some of his mirth leaked out. He felt Cassie’s considering look and flipped the page. Births and deaths. He should not read this. It was too personal. But his eyes did not obey his brain. Baby boy Godfrey. Baby girl Godfrey. She’d had two children? Where were they? The answer lay in the record before him. They were born and died the same day. Oh, Cassie. I had no idea. If they’d been alone he would have spoken his sympathy. Maybe even risked her ire by pulling her into his arms and patting her back.

Instead, he sucked in a gulp of air and continued turning pages till he got to the pertinent stuff. He cleared his throat and read, “‘In the beginning God...’” He read to the end of the chapter then slowly closed the book.

The children sighed as if content. The feeling lasted about thirty seconds before he realized they waited for him to pray for their safety throughout the day. Just as their pa had.

He sat up taller and squared his shoulders. He wasn’t their pa, but he could do this. “Let’s pray.” They all bowed their heads. Even Cassie. His throat tightened as he glanced at them. Maybe this was how fathers felt, though he wasn’t sure how to describe the feeling. Protectiveness, or responsibility or... He swallowed back a lump at the word that sprang to his mind. Joy. Joy at such a privilege. It was his first real taste of being part of a family and he rather liked it. Even as a portion of his brain reminded him of one of his rules. Don’t put down roots. You’ll only have them ripped out. It wasn’t a lesson he cared to repeat.

He ducked his head before anyone wondered what took him so long. “Dear God in heaven, who made the earth and everything in it, please watch over us today. Keep us safe. Help us be happy. Amen.”

Daisy got to her feet, shifted Pansy farther up her hip and gathered up the dishes with her free hand. “I’ll wash them.”

Neil headed for the water bucket. “I’ll fetch more water.”

Billy glanced about. “What should I do?”

“Get more firewood,” both older children said at once and the entire family set to work.

Roper fingered the Bible on his lap. He wanted to say something to Cassie about her losses. But he didn’t want to upset her. Seemed being reminded of two dead babies and a deceased husband just might do that. But he enjoyed sitting by her side and didn’t want her to leave. “Do all families do that?”

She jerked and seemed to gather herself up from some distant spot. “Do what?”

“Read the Bible and pray each morning. Is that what all families do?”

She turned then and considered him with such brown-eyed intensity he had to force himself not to squirm.

“I’m guessing they didn’t do so in the orphanage?”

“Nope. We stood for grace. Ate quietly and without complaint even when the food was thin gruel, then gathered our dishes and carried them to a big tub before we marched to our classrooms.”

“No Bible instruction?”

He chuckled at the idea of wasting time on such an activity. “On Sunday we were given religious instruction. When I was about ten there was a sweet old man who came in and told Bible stories and made it seem like fun. A lot of us became believers when he was there. But he only came a couple of years. The rest of the time we had stiff preachers who intoned a sermon for us.” He realized his voice imitated their mind-numbing monotone and he grunted. “Haven’t thought about it in a long time. I remember the sessions were so boring some of the little ones would fall asleep. If they were caught they’d be punished. I made sure they didn’t get caught.”

Her eyes sparked with curiosity and a warmth that sent satisfaction into his soul. He liked having her regard him with eyes like that.

“What did you do?”

“To keep them from getting caught? If we were allowed to sit where we wanted, I sat with the little ones and played finger games that didn’t attract any attention but kept the little ones watching.” He illustrated by having the fingers of one hand do a jig on the back of the other. “It was nothing special but they had to keep alert to see when I’d do something.”

“And if you couldn’t sit with them?”

“Then it was harder. But one of the things I did was send a tap down the line. Everyone would pass it on to the little ones.”

“Seems you felt responsible for the younger children.”

He considered the observation. “It wasn’t really responsibility. Not like Daisy. It was more like I wanted everyone to be happy.”

Her grin tipped the flesh at the corner of her eyes upward. “I think you haven’t changed a great deal.”

He tried to think how he felt about her evaluation. He decided it was true and he didn’t mind that she’d noticed something he did without thinking about it. “Back to my original question.” He tipped his head to indicate the circle where the children had sat. “Is it normal? You have a family. Is that what you did?”

Her eyes darkened. The smile fled from her face. What had he said to bring such distress to her face? Whatever it was, it had been unintentional.

But how could he undo it when he was at a loss to explain it?

* * *

The ground beneath Cassie’s feet seemed to tip as a thousand memories crowded her mind. “My father died when I was nine so I don’t recall much about being a whole family.” Except she suddenly did. “I remember sitting on my father’s knee as he read aloud. We were in a rocking chair. A lamp glowed nearby so it must have been evening. Mother was in the kitchen so it was just me and...” She stopped the words that had come from nowhere. Just her and those comforting, secure arms. “Just me and my father.” The memory ached through her. She concentrated on breathing slowly and deeply. She forced strength into her voice. “Seems I recall my father reading to me at night. He heard my prayers before Mother tucked me in and kissed me good night.”

“Didn’t you keep doing the same things after he was gone? I guess I would...both to honor him and preserve the memory.”

“Things changed after he died.” Her grandfather didn’t allow such extravagances. The child is big enough to put herself to bed. I’m not supporting you to spend time coddling her. She pushed to her feet. “I better get to work.” She went to join Daisy at the dishpan. “I’ll dry,” she said to the girl.

Roper strode away in the direction of Macpherson’s store. She wouldn’t watch him go. Nor voice any curiosity about why. But hadn’t he said he’d build her house? Shouldn’t he be doing so? He liked to make everyone happy, did he? She sensed it was more than that. Seems he had a need to make sure people were well taken care of. Well, she silently huffed, she had no need of his help. She’d learned to depend on no one. She had all she needed right here on this little bit of land. She glanced about at the piles of lumber, the neat little shelter Roper had erected. Yes, she’d accept his help in exchange for providing care for the children. But she’d never make the mistake of expecting it nor of counting on it.

Daisy persuaded Pansy to sit on a log at her side as she dried the dishes. “I want to thank you for allowing us to stay here and I promise we’ll do our best not to be any trouble.”

Children are nothing but trouble. The words reverberated through her head in her grandfather’s harsh voice. How could such a coldhearted man raise a son who turned out to be a loving father? Why had the better of the two died? Seemed bitterly unfair in her mind.

She hated that these children should feel the same condemning words hovering in the background and vowed she would not do or say anything to make them real. She dried her hands on the towel and turned to Daisy. With her still-damp hands, she clasped the girl’s shoulders and turned her so they were face-to-face. “I don’t consider you the least bit of trouble. In fact, it would be mighty lonely if I were here by myself.” Yet that was exactly what she intended once the children were gone. “Besides, isn’t it to my benefit? I get help to build my house.”

Daisy considered her steadily, then, satisfied with Cassie’s assurance, nodded. “Still. I wouldn’t want you to regret it.”

“I promise I won’t.” As she returned to her task a flash drew her attention to the side. Roper stood with two spades over his shoulder, so new and shiny the sun reflected off them. He stared as if he’d overheard the conversation. She favored him with a challenging glare, silently informing him not to read anything into her confession of loneliness. It was meant to reassure the children, not give him an argument to pursue.

“What’s with the shovels?” Far as she could figure he needed to wield hammer and saw, not shovels.

He moved closer so she saw the green glints in his eyes. “Got to thinking. Didn’t you say you plan to bake bread for the store?”

She nodded even though he knew the answer.

“And feed travelers?”

She didn’t bother to nod again.

“Seems you might be needing a cellar. You know. To keep things cool in the summer and stop your canned goods from freezing in the winter. So me and Neil are gonna dig you one.”

No way could she hide her surprise and she knew he read it on her face by the way he grinned in satisfaction. He held her gaze for several seconds.

She tried to tell herself she didn’t notice the way his eyes flashed pleasure at coming up with an idea that seemed to please her. Tried to convince herself he was only doing what he always did—making sure people were happy. But try as she might she couldn’t deny a little start of something both sweet and reluctant. It was sweet to have someone appear to care about what might please her. But she dare not let herself think past that. A woman in her situation could do no better than maintain her independence.

Still grinning, Roper called Neil and handed him a shovel. Together they marched to where she’d marked the boundaries of her house and began to dig.

An hour later they’d made little progress.

She began to suspect digging a cellar hole would consume an inordinate length of time.

Had that been his reason for suggesting it? Not concern for her at all but only an excuse to hang around and do for her what she preferred to do for herself?

He’d always balked at her independence.

She glanced about at the children. Daisy brushed Pansy’s hair and talked softly to her. Neil worked alongside Roper trying his best to dig at the same pace as Roper, which was impossible yet Roper told the boy how well he was doing. Billy carried the dirt to the designated area. How could she tell Roper she suspected him of delay tactics?

She didn’t need or want him trying to take care of her.

Chapter Four

As Roper and Neil dug, Cassie turned her attention to other things. First, she had to prepare meals for the children and Roper. With the stove set up in the little shelter, she could bake, using this time to her advantage to start paying off her debt at Macpherson’s. She mixed up a hearty stew of meat and vegetables and as it simmered, she cut lard into flour for biscuits. By noon, she had several dozen baked and cooling.

“This place is steaming hot.”

She turned at Roper’s voice behind her and brushed a strand of hair from her burning face. “I’m baking.”

“Both yourself and biscuits, I presume.”

She grinned at his teasing.

“You need a breeze going through here.” He ducked outside and made a racket on the wall. Then the canvas rolled up and blessed cool air blew through the shack. Roper peered through the opening. “I can roll it down at night.”

“Oh, that feels good.” She fanned herself. “I didn’t realize how hot it was.”

He came in again and eyed the biscuits covering the table. “You’ve been busy.”

“Dinner is ready.” She reached for the pot then realized she had no place to put it.

Roper grabbed a towel and took the pot. “Come see what I made.”

She wrapped a selection of biscuits in a towel and followed him outside. “A picnic table. Perfect. Now we can eat outdoors in comfort.”

He set the stew in the middle of the table. “I thought you could use it for feeding travelers, too.”

“Thank you, but—” Oh, dear. How were they going to manage working together if he constantly took care of her when she was determined to take care of herself?

Though, on her own, it would take a little longer to build a house and get herself organized. Macpherson understood she’d take time to get established.

“Just part of the business deal.” His dismissive tone warned her not to make a fuss about it.

She stifled a sigh. She might as well take advantage of all this arrangement offered. So she tucked away her resistance as Daisy passed around the plates and cups.

Cassie waited for the children to sit, then chose a place that wouldn’t put her near Roper. She didn’t want to be forced to hold his hand again during prayer. But as soon as she was seated, Neil and Billy slid down on the bench opposite her and made room for Roper to edge in and sit directly across from her, an unrepentant grin on his face. He’d correctly read her attempt to avoid him.

She barely restrained herself from wrinkling her nose at him but let him guess at the silent message in her eyes. Don’t think I’ve changed my mind about wanting to keep this businesslike.

He winked, and when he saw her draw her eyebrows together in affront, he sighed. “Cassie, don’t be looking for offense when none is meant.”

She forced a smile to her lips but figured it looked as wooden as it felt.

Roper wagged his head in mock frustration. “Cassie, Cassie, what am I going to do with you?”

She tipped her chin. “You could try saying the blessing so we could eat before the ants find us.”

The children giggled.

Roper chuckled. “Very well.” He eagerly reached for her hand, giving her a look that said he enjoyed her discomfort. Then he bowed his head and uttered a few words. “Amen.”

When she jerked her hand free, his eyes practically glittered with triumph. Oh, bother. By overreacting to an innocent, meaningless touch of hands, she’d given him reason to think it meant more than it did when she only wanted to remind him this was a business deal.

They ate in companionable silence except for Pansy who fretted.

Daisy hushed her. “She needs a nap.”

“Finish your meal, then put her down,” Roper said.

“And the dishes?”

Goodness, the child had an overblown sense of responsibility. Cassie patted her hand. “I can manage a few dishes.”

Daisy nodded gratefully, scooped up her little sister and disappeared inside the shack. For a few minutes Daisy’s gentle murmurs blended with Pansy’s fussing, and then all was silent.

Roper helped Cassie clean up the table. “Daisy reminds me of you,” he said.

“How’s that?” She filled a basin with hot water, and began to wash the dishes. She scrubbed the plates and Roper dried them.

“She feels she has to do everything herself.”

“Independence is good, especially when she has no one else.” Seems that should have been self-evident even to a man like Roper, determined to help everyone he met.

“But is that true?”

“Her father and mother are dead. Who knows what her uncle will decide about their future? Seems the best thing they can do is learn how to manage on their own, expect nothing from anyone else.”

“What about people who want to help?”

She couldn’t tell if it was hurt or warning that made his voice so low and decided it was safest to assume the latter. “I suppose she has reason to wonder what other people want in return.”

“I don’t want anything but to help. What do you want?”

Maybe she’d been talking more about herself than the children. “I expect nothing from them. I hope they understand that.”

“Your words are contradictory.”

“Maybe so. But it seems best to count on no one but yourself.” She had to change the direction of this conversation before she said more than she meant to...things she hadn’t even reasoned out yet. “How long do you think it will take to dig the cellar?”

He shrugged, his gaze lingering on her as he understood her attempt to avoid explaining herself. “Depends on how hard the ground is. And I don’t want to overwork young Neil. He’s determined to match me shovelful for shovelful. Besides, I don’t want him to think the only thing I want from him is work. In fact, I’ve decided to take a break for some play.” He paused. “If you have no objection.”

“Of course I don’t.” Did he think all she cared about was work? “The children should certainly be allowed a little fun.”

Maybe he was right. She seemed to know little about how to play.

“You’ll join us, won’t you?” Had he read her mind and determined to teach her?

“I have biscuits to deliver to Macpherson’s.”

“You might wake Pansy if you go into the shack.”

Cassie scrambled to find an excuse to avoid joining Roper and the children. Before she could, Roper waved to the boys.

“Who wants to play a game?”

Neil and Billy perked up and raced toward him. Daisy slipped from the shack and hesitated.

“You, too.” Roper waved to her. “Everyone’s going to play.” He shot Cassie a challenging look. “Play refreshes the soul.”

Cassie swallowed hard.

“Come on. We’ll go down by the river so we don’t wake Pansy.”

The boys ran after him, while Daisy followed more slowly, cautiously, as if uncertain she should let herself play.

It was Daisy’s hesitation that convinced Cassie to join the parade. Daisy was still young enough to enjoy a game or two. She shouldn’t let her responsibilities take away that pleasure. So Cassie linked arms with Daisy. “Let’s see what he’s up to.” She could feel the girl relax beneath her touch.

Roper glanced over his shoulder and grinned.

Cassie knew he’d heard her and, furthermore, she guessed he might have some inkling as to her motive. Though she felt a strong urge to wrinkle her nose at him, she hoped the toss of her head convinced him of her lack of concern for his opinion.

Roper waited until they all reached the bank of the river. “Who knows how to play Sneak Up on Granny?”

No one said they did.

“I’ll be granny. You line up there.” He drew a line in the sand. “I’ll stand here.” He went about twenty feet away. “When I turn my back, you try and sneak up on me. When I shout ‘stop,’ don’t move because when I turn around and see you moving, you go back to the start.”

“What’s the point of the game?” Cassie refrained from saying it sounded silly because she recognized the voice in the back of her head as that of her grandfather. Waste of precious time. For that reason alone she would play the game and waste as much time as she pleased.

“If you can sneak up on me and touch my shoulder without me catching you moving, you get to play granny.”

Cassie snorted. “Great. I’ve always had a hankering to play granny.” She drew her lips in, hunkered over like an old woman and smacked her gums loudly.

The three children giggled and Cassie knew a sense of satisfaction. Was this how Roper felt when he made others happy? She shot him a look, wondering if her surprise showed.

Their gazes caught and held, and the look of triumph in his eyes seared away something she couldn’t identify. Didn’t want to acknowledge. All she would admit was it felt good and right to make the children laugh. It seemed fitting to see them enjoy life.

She would not listen to the strident voice of her grandfather telling her to stop wasting time.

The children toed up to the line he’d scratched in the ground. She did the same as Roper took his place ahead of them.

“One, two, three.” He counted, turning his back.

Neil raced forward. Billy took a giant leap. Daisy tiptoed.

Cassie took one cautious step, and then another.

“Stop.”

Neil skidded but not in time. Billy was in midair and landed with a thud.

Roper chuckled. “Boys. Back to the start.”

Daisy and Cassie grinned at each other. He hadn’t caught them.

“One, two, three.” He turned away again.

Billy and Neil tried to make up for lost time but Cassie edged forward, knowing she must be ready to stop quickly.

“Stop.”

Again the two boys were sent back to the start amid groans.

Roper gave Cassie and Daisy a long stare as if daring them to waver. Neither of them did.

They continued. Cassie was within two feet but Roper called stop so often she daren’t move. She tensed. One step was all it would take. As soon as he began to turn away, she leaped forward and reached out to clap his shoulder. At the same time he hollered stop and turned to face her, and they collided.

She staggered, off balance and about to fall, until he caught her, his hands warm on her arms as he steadied her.

She looked deep into his hazel eyes, saw his concern over bumping her. Her heart beat a frantic tattoo against her breastbone. Longing rose up within her, a hunger to be valued and appreciated. To be cared for.

No, she told herself. Such feelings were a weakness she would never allow herself. She’d learned far too well how they made her vulnerable. She shook free from his grasp. “Guess I’m granny now.” Surely he wouldn’t notice the trembling in her voice.

“Guess so.” His voice grated as if his throat had grown tight.

They returned to play although she had little interest. She wasn’t a bit sorry when Pansy’s cry brought an instant end to their game as Daisy rushed back to get the little one.

The rest trooped after her.

“I’m going to take biscuits over to Macpherson’s and see if he can sell them.” Cassie headed for the little shack as if she had a sudden deadline.

“Come on, boys. Let’s get that cellar dug.” Roper sounded as cheerful as ever.

Why had she wasted so much time? It was Roper’s fault. Something about him enticed her to forget her responsibilities and goals.

All winter she’d avoided him as much as possible without being rude. Or maybe sometimes, especially at first, she hadn’t cared if she happened to be rude. All she could remember of the first few weeks at the ranch was the pain of her losses and despair at how desperate her situation was.

When Linette had found her sleeping in the train station in Montreal she’d cajoled, enticed and begged Cassie to accompany her West on her trek to meet her future husband. Cassie had agreed because it had seemed better than her current situation. Anything would have been better. She didn’t know she would end up in a tiny log cabin, barely big enough for one adult let alone three adults and a child. Even worse, Eddie was not expecting to marry Linette and said he had no intention of doing so. Not that Linette was deterred. She said she would prove to him she’d make an ideal pioneer wife.

Cassie smiled. The attraction between Linette and Eddie had been obvious from the first but it had taken the pair most of the winter to acknowledge what the rest of them saw.

She pressed her palm to her chest. She missed Linette. And Grady.

She missed Cookie, too. From the beginning, the big-hearted woman seemed oblivious to Cassie’s sharpness and showed her nothing but kindness. Slowly, between Linette and Cookie and the gentle attention of the cowboys at the ranch, Cassie’s wounds had healed. She’d gone from thinking she had no choice but to accept whatever kindness and protection a man would offer to knowing she could live life on her own terms.

It wasn’t something she meant to give up. She had a life to live. Work to do. A business to establish.

She filled a large bowl with biscuits, covered it with a clean tea towel and headed over to Macpherson’s store. A couple of cowboys lounged against the counter as she stepped inside. Within minutes most of the biscuits had been purchased.

Macpherson snagged one of the biscuits for himself and tested it. “These are good. Reminds me of my daughter, Becca. She used to bake the best biscuits. Many a man stepped into the store solely to see if she had any baking on hand.”

Cassie couldn’t remember much of what she’d heard about Macpherson’s daughter. “She moved away, didn’t she?”

“Married herself a fine young man, Colt, and adopted two orphaned children. They have themselves a little ranch northwest of here. I expect them to visit this summer.”

Cassie chuckled. “You’re obviously proud of them.”

“A fine bunch.” He indicated the crumbs of biscuit on his fingers. “Bring me more of these as soon as you can. You set up to bake bread yet?”

“I’ll start today.”

Glowing with satisfaction she returned to her place. Oh, didn’t that sound good! Her place. A business about to take off. A house soon to be constructed, thanks to Roper’s help.

She ground to a halt at the corner of the shack and watched Roper digging her cellar. Her house. Her cellar. Her land. It seemed Roper was contributing far more to this arrangement than she. What would she owe him? Nervousness quivered in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t like to owe anyone. She sucked in air to calm the fluttering, and reminded herself that it was a business agreement. So he could help the children.

Or was it an excuse so he could take care of her?

He glanced up, saw her watching and slowly straightened.

Her eyes must have given away her doubt and confusion for he climbed from the hole and strode toward her.

She shook her head to clear it, and ducked into the shack where she made a great deal of noise pulling out a bowl so she could set the yeast to rise.

“Cassie? Something wrong?” His voice came from the doorway.

“The biscuits sold like hotcakes. Macpherson was very pleased. Asked if I could start providing bread.” No doubt she sounded falsely cheerful.

It took only three steps for him to close the distance between them. “That’s good news. So why do you look so troubled?”

She could deny it, tell him he must be imagining things. But her doubts had a tenacious grip on her thoughts. She straightened and slowly faced him. “Why are you doing this?”

He looked around, not knowing what she meant and searching for a clue. “Doing what?”

She waved her hand around the little shack, then pointed to indicate the activity beyond the canvas walls. “Everything. Why are you digging a cellar? Offering to build my house? What do you expect in return?”

He stepped back and his eyebrows knotted. “Cassie Godfrey, you are one suspicious woman. I told you what I want—to help the children. I grew up in an orphanage. Never knew anything about family. I saw kids ripped from their siblings. Do you think I could stand back and let that happen to these youngsters when I could do something to prevent it?” His voice had grown harsh. “I’m more than willing to dig your cellar and build your house if it enables me to help them. I thought you understood that.”

She sighed. “Family isn’t the ideal dream you seem to think it is.”

“And yet I doubt it’s the curse you seem to consider it.” He swung about and strode from the shack.

She stared after him. Was that what she thought?

Her earliest memories had been pleasant enough but then... She shook her head. She didn’t know what she thought. Except that she intended to have a batch of bread ready to deliver tomorrow.

She set to work, pausing only to make supper and hurrying through the meal so she could return to her baking, though, if she admitted the truth to herself, she wasn’t half as busy as she acted.

She simply did not want to face Roper any more than she must and feel guilty about his accusing looks. No. She’d keep busy running her business and she’d not allow anything to divert her from her purpose.

* * *

As soon as breakfast was over the next morning, Roper headed for the cellar hole, his insides burning with frustration. Prickly Cassie, always seeing ulterior motives. She’d avoided him last evening. He’d hoped for a change in her behavior at breakfast but she’d slid her glance over him as if he were invisible.

“I hope my bread turns out,” she murmured as if nothing else mattered.

Before he reached the cellar, he veered off toward the river. In his present frame of mind he wasn’t decent company for a young lad. He grabbed his rifle. They could always use fresh meat. On second thought...

He hitched the horse to the wagon.

Neil appeared at his side. “Whatcha doing?”

“Need to take the wagon back to the ranch and get my saddle horse.” Eddie had told him to help Cassie if she’d let him so he wouldn’t have been concerned when Roper didn’t immediately return.

“You coming back?”

At the sound of fear and uncertainty in the boy’s voice, Roper’s anger fled. “I’m not about to ride out on you.” He clamped his hand to Neil’s shoulder. “I said I was going to build Cassie’s house and I will. I said I would look after you until your uncle came and I will. Never doubt it. But I need a saddle horse to hunt meat for us.”

Neil nodded.

Billy and the girls watched him from the trees. “I’ll be back. Take care of yourselves and help Cassie.” He spoke out of his own heart’s desire. He wanted to take care of them all...but Cassie didn’t want his help.

He closed his eyes and willed his inner turmoil to settle. He had nothing against a woman having a business if she had the hankering. But Cassie’s desire went beyond what was necessary or expedient. She seemed set on proving something. He had no idea what.

“You gonna tell Cassie you’re going?” Neil asked.

“I’ll let you.”

“You should tell her yourself,” Daisy interjected, sounding quite certain.

The four watched him closely.

“Ma always said—” Neil started.

Here we go again. Them wanting him and Cassie to act like their ma and pa. He didn’t want to disappoint them but he had no idea how to be a pa any more than he had a hankering to put down roots. A no-name cowboy didn’t expect to belong any place for long. As he’d said to Cassie, he liked being able to say when, where and with whom. “If it will make you happy.” He knew his voice revealed his frustration as soon as Daisy clutched Pansy closer and Neil reached for Billy’s hand. He was getting as prickly as Miss Cassie.

If such a little thing eased their minds, he could do it graciously. “You’re right. I should tell her.” He flashed them a grin as he tromped back up the hill to the shack where pots and pans clattered. Hat in hand, he paused in the doorway.

Cassie glanced up, saw him and pointedly returned to her work.

“I’m going to take the wagon back to the ranch and get a saddle horse.”

Her hands stilled. He felt her indrawn breath.

“Do you want to come along? You and the youngsters?”

She didn’t look directly at him but he caught a flash of eagerness. Then it disappeared, and she grunted. “Thought you were taking the wagon back.”

“Uh-huh.” Of course, he couldn’t bring them back on a saddle horse. “Eddie might be willing to lend us a wagon.”

“No need. I can’t go. I’ve got work to do.” She nodded at the bowl of dough and set of bread pans. “Check and see how Linette is, though, if you don’t mind, and say hi to Grady for me.”

“I can do that. You’ll be okay until I get back?”

That brought her about so fast he chuckled.

“I think I can manage just fine, thank you.”

“See you later, then.” He was still chuckling as he returned to the wagon and bid the youngsters goodbye.

* * *

Later, he pulled the wagon onto the Eden Valley Ranch property and drove past the ranch house. From the dining room window overlooking the yard, he saw Linette watching and waved. At least she was feeling well enough to be up and about.

Eddie trotted from the barn. “Roper. Nice to see you back. Are you here to stay?”

“No. Sorry, boss, but you won’t believe what I’ve been doing.”

“Tell me about it. No, wait. You better come to the house and tell Linette at the same time.”

Roper jumped from the wagon and fell in step with Eddie as they headed up the path to the house. “How’s Linette?” When he left, Eddie was worried that she was so sick.

“She’s fine.”

“Good to see you grinning from ear to ear. Not all hangdog like you were when I left.”

Eddie laughed. “She tells me she’s in the family way. That’s why she’s ill.”

Roper ground to a halt. He wasn’t sure how a man should respond. “You seem happy.” The idea of family filled him with a queasy feeling. It seemed an unnecessary risk.

“I feel like I’m walking on air.”

“You don’t mind that she’s sick?”

“Linette assures me it’s normal and temporary as her body adjusts to the new life growing in her.”

Roper grinned. “Eddie Gardiner a papa! Now won’t that be something?” He couldn’t wait to tell Cassie the news.

Eddie grinned wide enough to split his face. “It will certainly be something to behold.” They reached the house and Eddie threw open the door.

Linette waited in the entrance, the picture of health.

“You’re looking good,” Roper said.

“I’m feeling fine. Better than fine.” She sent Eddie a look full of love and adoration.

A hollow hunger hit Roper’s gut and sucked at his soul. He pushed away the feeling. It was enough that Eddie and Linette were happy, he told himself. He was glad for them.

Linette led the way into the cozy room with big windows allowing a view of the ranch buildings. “Have you been with Cassie all this time?” she asked as they sat at the big table.

“I have and you wouldn’t believe why. She sure didn’t want me to stay and help but...”

Linette served tea and cookies as he told of finding the children and his agreement with Cassie.

“Boss, I’ll be needing time off to help with the kids.”

Eddie nodded. “Take as much time as you need. Your job will be waiting.”

“I’m so grateful it’s worked out that way. I’ve been praying God would somehow make it so Cassie would get help. She’s so...”

Roper sighed. “Prickly.”

Linette chuckled. “Actually I was thinking independent. She once told me she didn’t feel she could trust anyone. Or was it only men she didn’t trust? I can’t remember but once she figured out how to start her own business she was set on proving she didn’t need any help.”

“She’s still set on doing so.”

Grady burst into the room. “Hi, Roper.” He looked about. “Where’s Cassie?”

“I left her in town. Remember, she said she was going to live there.”

Grady climbed to Linette’s lap and snuggled close.

Roper had often observed that Linette gave the child as much comfort as he sought. Grady was fortunate. He could have been placed in an orphanage. Roper had no complaints about his upbringing—he’d been fed and housed and taught to read and write. Even been taught about God. But he couldn’t remember ever having a lap to welcome him. He couldn’t even imagine how it would have felt.

“We’ll visit her soon,” Linette promised Grady.

After a few minutes the boy got down and found a collection of carved animals to play with.

Linette leaned closer. “Tell me more about the children and how Cassie is doing.”

Roper told her everything he could think of. Even remembered to mention that Cassie was taking biscuits to the store and was busy baking bread for Macpherson to sell.

“Sounds like she’s getting into business sooner than she thought possible, thanks to your help.”

He shrugged a little. Too bad Cassie wasn’t as appreciative as Linette.

Linette turned to consult Eddie. “She’ll be needing some supplies. Potatoes, carrots. Some meat. Do you think Cookie would part with some of the jarred beef she did up?”

Eddie chuckled. “I think if I mention sending something for Cassie, Cookie will load a wagon to the limit.” He turned to Roper. “Come along. Let’s see what we can find.”

They found plenty. Enough to see Cassie through much of the summer unless she started feeding huge crews. Roper took time to visit with Cookie and Bertie and the cowboys still around the place, then headed back to town with a full wagon and a saddle horse tied to the back.

Roper didn’t mind in the least that he’d returned with the wagon he’d meant to leave at the ranch. His only regret was he hadn’t insisted Cassie come with him. Next time he would.

He glanced back at all the supplies. It eased his mind to know she’d have plenty of provisions even when he couldn’t bring in game. There was no way she could reject these gifts. Because he wasn’t taking them back.

The wagon rattled as he drove toward home.

Home? Guess he was so used to calling any place he hung his hat home, so it naturally followed this was home for the time being. But the word had a more satisfying feel to it than a hat rack. Probably because he had youngsters to care for and a house to build.

Suddenly he realized it was the closest to home he’d ever known even if it was only temporary. Something pinched the back of his stomach. A sensation of intermingled regret, sorrow, hope and—

He’d long ago learned the futility of wishing upon stars or anything else, so he abandoned that way of thinking and turned his thoughts to estimating how long it would take to dig the cellar at the rate they were going.

Lost in his planning, he was surprised when he reached Cassie’s bit of land.

No one raced out to greet him as he pulled to a halt, which provided a sharp reminder that this was not home. Then he heard Pansy’s heart-wrenching cries. He bolted from the wagon and raced toward the sound.

Chapter Five

From the moment she’d watched Roper ride away, the wagon rumbling over the rutted trail, Cassie had been apprehensive. She was alone. Unless she counted the children, Macpherson, the smithy down the road and the riders who had come to town shortly after Roper left. No, she wasn’t alone. Nor was she lonely.

And Roper had promised to return. The words came from a forbidden corner of her brain.

What difference did it make if he did or not? She could manage quite well by herself. But his words of promise embedded in her mind like warm sweets.

Even her busy hands did not keep her from wondering when Roper would be back. Only, she silently insisted, so she could hear news of Linette and the others at the ranch.

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